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Totti - I considered quitting

Francesco Totti has admitted he considered retirement following last season's Coppa Italia final.

Last Updated: 20/07/10 2:28pm

Francesco Totti has admitted he considered retirement following last season's Coppa Italia final.

The Roma talisman was sent off in his side's defeat to Inter Milan after a disgraceful challenge on Mario Balotelli two minutes from time.

His kick out at the 19-year-old sparked ugly scenes, which resulted in the 33-year-old being banned for four games from the cup competition next season.

The outrage that followed clearly had an effect on the former Italy midfielder, stating that he may have called time on an 18-year career with the Giallorossi had it not been for the intervention of those close to him.

Passion

"There was a time when I thought about quitting," he said.

"I thought about it because of what happened, on and off the pitch.

"Then I talked to people close to me who made me think about it.

"But when there's passion it's right to continue.

"Every time something happens concerning me it's worth 10 times as much, I have asked myself so many times, why? And I've answered that it happens because at the end of the day I'm good.

"Maybe people don't like me because I'm from Rome. Were the club close to me? Yes."